Their High Feasts.
The high FeastCapacrayne, which thePeruvianskept in the first MonethRayme,agreeing with ourDecember, deserves serious observation: for as long as the Feast lasted, no Stranger was suffer’d to Lodge inCusco, whither they all flock’d again after the Feast was over, to receive Cakes made by theMamaconas(an Order of Nuns) ofMaizand the warm Blood of a white Ram, and were distributed by certain Priests (Extracted from the Royal FamilyIluqui Yupangui) who carrying them up and down in Golden Dishes, gave every one of a Company one, saying at the delivery of it,If you do not Reverence the Sun andInga,this Food will witness against you to your Ruine; but if you worship them, then their Bodies will by this Pledge be united to yours: after which those that had eaten of the Cakes promis’d Obedience, and thank’d the Sun andIngafor their Food.
Their Manner of Confessions.
Their Penances.
The Esteem of their Soothsayers.
At the fore-mention’dChasquisa course was taken to carry all that desir’d, to every Temple through the whole Kingdom ofPeru, where the Inhabitants receiv’d them with great Reverence, having before confess’d all their sins to theirYaburies, or Father-Confessors, who being chosen to that Office with a great deal of Ceremony, impos’d greater or lesser Penances, according to the sins of the Penitent: those that were suspected to have conceal’d any of their sins, were put to cast Lots, or had the Entrails of the Beasts which they had kill’d to that purpose consulted about them, and thereby were discover’d if they had conceal’d any of their sins; which whenever it hapned, the Priests falling upon the false Penitents, thump’d them with a Stone on their Backs so long, till they had confess’d all their Faults, which the Priest was not to reveal on pain of Death, but to make Expiatory Offerings. The sins about which they were Examin’d, were chiefly Theft, Murder, Adultery, preparing of Poyson, or sleighting theirIngaor Gods; for each of which Transgressions they had several kinds of Punishments. When theIngafell sick, all People in general were forc’d to come and make Confession of their sins; also every one went to his Confessor when he was in trouble, or expected some Misfortune to befall him: TheIngahimself Confess’d his sins to none but the Sun, which he desir’d to relate toViracocha, and to beg pardon of him for the same; which done, he bath’d himself in a running Stream, and cry’d,I have made my sins known to thee, O Sun; do thou,O River, wash away mine Iniquities, and discharge them into the Sea, that they may never be more laid to my charge: which custom of Bathing, call’dOpacuna, was also us’d by all other Penitents. A Father losing his Son by Death, was censur’d for a great Sinner, wherefore he could not be permitted to be Confess’d before he had been whipp’d with Nettles by a certain ill-look’d Officer appointed for that end; after which their FathersYchurisenjoyn’d such Penances as they thought fit; some were order’d to last several days; others to pay rich Garments, Silver, Gold, or the like; others receiv’d a certain number of Blows; some were condemn’d to live on the Mountains, excluded from the society of all Men. If their Sorcerers at any time foretold a Fathers Death, then he immediately Sacrifis’d his Son, that with his Death he might buy his own Life. No People were more respected than their Soothsayers, as Men that could discover private Thefts, Accidents that hapned in remote Countreys, and also future Events, and so far their Credit amongst the Vulgar carried them, that they undertook to tell theSpaniardswhen their Countrey-men should be Conquerors, and when defeated in the War they maintain’d against theNetherlanders. There were also cunning Women, who making themselves dead Drunk withChica, with which they mix’d the HerbViloa, and afterwards coming to themselves again, answer’d all the Questions that were proposed to them.
Their monthly Feasts.
ThePeruvianskept two sorts of Feasts, the first at certain times, the others on special occasions; the set-Feasts were kept Monethly; on the first MonethRayme, agreeing with our last MonethDecember, as aforesaid, they kept the great FeastCapacrayme, on which they brought Multitudes of Sheep and Lambs for Burnt-offerings, besides Silver and Gold. Not far from the Fire stood three Carv’d Images of the Sun, and three others representing Thunder; and this was generally the Day of the Installation of the youngInga’s, which was after this manner: The chief Priest boring a Hole through his Ear, cover’d the upper part of his Body with the holy ClothGuaras, whilest the inferior Priests whipt him with knotted Cords, and painted his Face with the Blood. During these Ceremonies no Stranger was suffer’d to remain inCusco, but after the Feast was ended they all return’d, and as before, receiv’d Cakes bak’d ofMaizand Blood, as a testimony that they lov’d and honor’d theInga.
Their Harvest Ceremonies.
Their FeastYtri.
The three Images of the Sun before-mention’d they call’dApointi,Churiunti, andIntiquaoqui, that is,Father-Sun,Son-Sun, andBrother-Sun. In like manner they nam’d the three Images of Thunder,Chuquilla,Catuilla, andIntillapa; from whichAcostajudges that the Devil had obscurely taught thePeruviansthe Mysteries of the holySacramentandTrinity, (that their glory might be eclips’d by Idolatrous Errors) especially the last, which seems plainly to be signifi’d by thePeruvianDeityTangatanga, whom they affirm’d to be One in Three, and Three in One. And that other Nations also had a glimpse of the same may be collected fromPhilip Cluverius, who endeavors to demonstrate, that the antientGermansandGaulsobscurely ador’d theTrinityin the midst of theirHeathenism, under the notion ofSun,Moon, andFire, the Sun signifying theFather, the Moon theSon, and the Fire theHoly-Ghost; to confirm which he makes use ofCæsar’s Testimony,viz.They onely esteem those Gods whom they see, and those that assist them, viz.theSun, Vulcan,and theMoon;for they have never heard any thing concerning any other Gods.Diodorus Siculusseems also to ascribe a glimpse of this Mystery to theEgyptians, when he says, That the antientest People inEgypt, when they view’d the World, and were amaz’d at all things on the Earth, they judg’d that two Gods Govern’d them all,viz.theSunandMoon, by whom all things flourish’d and encreas’d; to whom they added a third, namelyFire, to which they attributed a Divinity, as conducing much to the increase and growth of all things. TheMoon, which was also call’dJuno, they judg’d to be the Offspring of God, (for Son and Daughter were promiscuously taken) who, according toHomer, Marrying withJupiter, brought forthVulcan, which might haply be to them a Type or Figure of theHoly-Ghost, proceeding from theFatherandSon:Vulcanwas by her plac’d a President over the Fire, by which theHeathensseem’d to imitate the fiery Power of theHoly-Ghost, purifying and cleansing all things: and this cleansing Power was aim’d at byRomulus, when, according toDionysius Halicarnassensis, he commanded his Soldiers to leap through a Fire made before his Tent, that so they might be purifi’d from all their Crimes. But it may be thought strange, that thePeruvians,Germans, orEgyptians, lost in a Wood of gross Idolatry, could have any apprehension, though never so obscure, of the holyTrinity, when as the most nice and curiousGreekandRomanWits have made such gross mistakes concerning God. But to return again to thePeruvians: They kept their second Feast in the second MonethCamay, on which they threw the Ashes of their Offerings into the River, and follow’d them on the Shore for the space of five Leagues, praying the River to carry the Ashes to the Sea, whereViracochawould receive them. In the third and fourth Moneths they kill’d a hundred and ten black spotted and grey Sheep. In the beginning ofMay(by thePeruvianscall’dHatuncuzqui) they gather’d in theirMaiz, and kept the FeastAymorai; after which they return’d home Singing from their Fields, call’dChacra, and carried a great heap ofMaizwith them, nam’dPerua, wrapping it up in rich Garments; three Nights they continu’d their Ceremonies, imploring thePeruato preserve their Harvest ofMaizfrom any damage that might chance to come to it, and also to let that grow prosperously which they should Plant next. Lastly, their Sorcerers consulted whether thePeruacould last till the next year? to which if they were answer’dNo, they carried it into the Fields, and burning it, made a newPerua, which when they knew to be sufficient to last good a year, they carried it to the Granary in great triumph. In the seventh MonethAncayacuzqui, they kept the Feast call’dIntraymi, with a hundred Sheep, in honor of the Sun. They also made several Images of the WoodQuimia, which they put in richHabits, strew’d the Ways with Flowers, Danc’d a strange Dance nam’dCayo, Singing several Songs. Persons of Quality put Golden Plates about their Knees, as the common People painted them with divers Colours. In the eighth MonethChahuathey kept the high FeastHuarqui, on which they Offer’d a hundred grey Sheep; the like number, but of a Chesnut colour, they Offer’d the following MonethYupaquis, besides a thousandCuies, that the Air, Water, or Sun, might not spoil their Plants. Their FeastSituathey kept on the tenth MonethCoyaraymiafter this manner: They gather’d all together on the first day before the Moon rose, which no sooner appear’d, but they made a terrible noise, beat one another with lighted Torches, then wash’d the Dirt from their Bodies, and made themselves Drunk for four Days together. The eleventh MonethArmaraimi, was nam’dPunchaiquis, from the Feast they kept therein, on which (besides the usual Offerings of eight hundred Sheep) they ty’d a black Sheep to a Post without Meat, till such time as there fell store of Dew. Their Feast call’dRaymicantara Raiquis, was kept in the last MonethAyamara, on which their Youth were bor’d through the Ears. Amongst the high Feasts which were kept on great occasions, the chiefest wasYtri, against which they all made new Clothes after a peculiar fashion, wearing their Cloaks muffled about their Heads; in which manner they walked leisurely a whole Day and a Night; during which time none durst either Eat or Drink, or open his Eyes: But after this serious Processioning follow’d four days of extravagancy, as Drinking, Dancing, and the like. In their Dances, which were to the sound of Drums, Pipes, and Horns, they imitated all manner of Trades by strange motions of their Bodies, besides divers other Frolicks and May-games which they us’d at such times of Mirth and Festivity: But since theSpaniardsconquer’dPeru, all theseHeathenishCustoms have been laid aside.
The Destruction of the old Empire ofPeruforetold.
As to the Prognostications and Fore-runners of the destruction of the old Empire ofPeru, it is reported, thatGuaynacava, Father of the last KingAttabaliba, lying on his Death-bed inQuito, said to his Princes,This Realm, at present rais’d to the highest top of Eminency, is hastning towards its Ruine; and though our Kingdom remain as yet free from foreign Invasion, the Countreys round about are already conquer’d and in Slavery: The Gods have call’d strange People from unknown Regions, who by degrees will reach us also. With me, who am the twelfthInga,dies the Dominion of the mightyPeru.A People of other Fashions and Religion will subvert our Religion, Laws and Government, and bring us under subjection to them.There were also Signs and Prodigies that portended the Dissolution of this Empire; amongst the rest a great Eruption in the Province ofTacinga, which rending the Earth asunder vomited up Flames of Fire; nor was it long e’re they were fulfill’d, for whilest thePeruvianswere making of Offerings toViracochafor the delivery of their imprison’d KingHuascar, News was brought toCuscoofAttabaliba’s being taken; the Particulars whereof, with other Matters touching the Conquest of this Kingdom by theSpaniards, and how they pillag’d the Countrey, murder’d the Inhabitants, and enrich’d themselves with their inestimable Treasures, shall in order be related.
By whomPeruwas first discover’d to theSpaniards.
Great Difficulties in the Discovery ofPeru.
Pizarromade Governor ofPeru.
PizarrotakingAttabalibaPrisoner, puts a vast Ransom upon him.
Huascarburnt by Order of his BrotherAttabaliba.
Attabalibaput to death by theSpaniards.
Attabalibastrangled byAlmagro’s Order.
The antient Splendor of thePeruvian Ingas.
Quisquis,Attabaliba’s General, stabb’d and cut in pieces.
Mango Ingareleas’d out of Prison, sets upon theSpaniards, and is at last put to flight.
Several Parties of thePeruviansset upon theSpaniardsand overthrow them.
They are beaten byAlvarado.
The first that gave theSpaniardsnotice ofPeru, was anIndianPrince call’dPanguinaco, who having been taken Prisoner, inform’dVasquez Nunnezof the abundance or Gold and Silver which was to be had there, who resolv’d to venture through a thousand Dangers into the South Sea. After whichFrancisco Pizarro,Ferdinand de Lugue, andDiego de Almagro, consulted upon this great Design,Anno 1525.Pizarrusbeing order’d to Sail before with a Ship carrying a hundred and fourteen Men, andAlmagroto follow with a Vessel carrying seventy Men, whilestDe Luguestaid to manage the Affairs at home. Fifty Leagues Southward fromPanama,Pizarrusfound asmall Neck of Land nam’dPeru, from which it is most probable that great Kingdom afterwards receiv’d its Denomination, though many deduce it from the RiverBeru, as before mention’d: Thence Sailing to the main Continent ofPeru, and Landing, he lost several of his Men, and being himself desperately wounded, return’d with ill success, whilestAlmagromissing of him, Landed afterwards in the same place, and also lost several of his Men, and one of his own Eyes: yet not long after they renew’d their Design, carrying with them in two Ships and three Boats, three hundred stout Men, which all suffer’d extream Hunger, and had they not happily gotten some Sea-Crabs, they had without doubt all of them perish’d: at last Landing on the Coast ofCatamez, they were Encountred by a People whose Faces were hung full of Golden Nails, and daily lost more and more of their Men; upon which ill Successes the newAmericanVice-Roy forbad the farther discovery ofPeru, and call’d home the remaining part from the IslandGallo, so thatPizarrokept with him but twelve Men, with whom he went to the desolate IsleGorgona, where he liv’d on Sea-Snails, till he receiv’d Provisions fromPanama; after which they spent two years in making farther Discoveries upon the Coasts ofPeru: During which time he visited the QueenCapullana, and discover’d a mighty Palace, where three of the twelve Men were kill’d, whose Memory deserves to live for ever, because the World owes to their unheard-of Valor the Discovery of the mighty Kingdom ofPeru; but there are onely left Recorded the Names of those nine Worthies who surviv’d that Exploit, which were these following,Nicholas de Rivera,Peter de Candia,Juan Torre,Alonzo Briseni,Christophero Peralca,Alonzo de Truxillo,Francisco Cuellar,Alonzo Molina, and the PilotBartholomeo Ruyz: With these ninePizarroLanded on the IslePuna, inhabited by a valiant People, who us’d Bowes, Darts, Silver Knives, and Pikes tipt with Gold: From thence he steer’d his Course unto the HavenTumbez, wherePeter de CandiaLanding, was met by forty thousand of the Inhabitants, who conducted him to the Temple of the Sun, built by theInga Guaynacava, and adorn’d in the in-side with Golden Plates. Not long after whichPizarrowas by an Order from theSpanishCourt made Governor ofPeru, to the great discontent ofAlmagro; which Difference being decided,Pizarroset out again with two hundred and fifty Foot, besides Horse, with which he Landed a hundred Leagues lower than before, where he got a great Mass of Gold and some Emeraulds of theCasique, all which he sent toPanama, thereby to stir up the People to come toPeruto his assistance; where those that were at present on the Place, besides other great Hardships which they suffer’d, were miserably plagued with Ulcers in their Faces; yet they prosecuted their Conquest as well as they could with what small Power was left them, and had newly takenPuerto Viejowhen CaptainBevalcazarandJuan Florezbrought fresh Supplies of Men and Horse; with which RecruitPizarroconquer’d the Valley ofTumbez; from whence they Sail’d over to the IslandPunas, where the friendly Entertainment they met with at first, turn’d soon after into a bloody Battel: for theSpaniardsnot forbearing to prie into every House, and committing many Outrages, were set upon by the Natives, whom having at last subdu’d, and being again supply’d with new Forces byFerdinando SottofromNicaragua, they return’d toTumbez, where the Countrey was all in Arms upon the Report of theSpaniardsCruelties committed on the IslandPuna, insomuch that they Offer’d all those whom they took alive to their Gods, and slew as many as they could conveniently meet with.Pizarrohaving stay’d about twenty days, went with his BrothersJuanandGonsalves, the CaptainsSottoandBevalcazar, and fifty Horse over the RiverAmbatoabout Mid-night, through a thorny Way betwixt Mountains, and about Break-of-day fell upon theTumbezanArmy, and having setled things prettywell in those Parts, he built the CitySt. Michaelin the CountreyTangazara, along the RiverDe la Chira, where he was Complemented by two Agents fromCusco, who desiring Aid inHuascar’s Name against his BrotherAttabaliba, receiv’d for Answer, That he was going toCaxamalca, as indeed he was, to findAttabalibathere; whose Commands that he should not approach prov’d all in vain: forPizarro, under pretence of Complementing him in his Catholick Majesty’s Name, was no sooner admitted to his Presence, but he took him Prisoner, and set for a Ransom upon him as much Gold as a Room of fifty four Foot long and nine Foot broad was able to contain, as high as he could just reach with his Hand held up: But the Gold coming slower than was expected,Pizarrowas much incens’d thereat, whomAttabalibaendeavoring to pacifie, alledg’d, That it could not possibly come sooner, because the Way betweenCaxamalcaandCusco, from whence the Gold was to be fetch’d, was at a great distance: The truth whereofPizarroresolving to try, sentSottoandPeter del BarotoCuscoin Chairs, carried byPeruviansexceeding swift of Foot, and who if they tir’d were successively reliev’d by others that attended, without so much as setting down the Chair; being got about half way, they met withAttabaliba’s CaptainCilucuchuma, he having takenHuascarPrisoner, who requestedSottoandBarothat they would be pleas’d to deliver him out of the Hands of his blood-thirsty Brother, for which kindness he would pay three times as much Gold asAttabalibahad promis’d, who was not able to give any thing else but the Golden Plates which were in the Temple of the Sun inCusco; whereasHuascarhad all the Treasure that was left byGuaynacava; which indeed was true, forHuascarhad caus’d it privately to be buried, and put to death those that did it, that so he might keep the place conceal’d where it lay; insomuch that none could ever find it out to this day, though theSpaniardshave tortur’d theIndianswith all imaginable cruelty, to make them discover the place. ButAttabalibainform’d byPizarroofHuascar’s Imprisonment, seem’d to be exceeding sorry, and said,I am much troubled at the News of my Captain’s laying violent Hands on my BrotherHuascar,whom I acknowledge my eldest Brother, and both of the same Father and Mother; but I suppose he has no design to kill him, but onely keeps him Prisoner, to bring him to grant me peaceably to enjoy the Kingdom ofQuito,of late brought under subjection of thePeruvianCrown.Pizarronot observingAttabaliba’s subtilty (who design’d nothing butHuascar’s Death, out of fear that theSpaniardsupon his liberal promises to them, might promote him to the Throne) comforted him as well as he could: whereuponAttabalibasupposing thatPizarrowould be little concern’d at the killing of his BrotherHuascar, gave speedy Order that he should be burnt alive, which accordingly was put into execution; but before he was brought to the Fire, he foretold his BrotherAttabaliba’s cruel death. During which timeAlmagrocame with fresh Supplies fromPanama, eager to have a share of the fore-mention’d Ransom, which at last was paid with overplus; for by daily bringing in of Baskets of Gold, the Chamber was fill’d up to the very top; but thoughAttabalibahad more than perform’d his Promise, yet Sentence of Death was pronounc’d against him presently after he had been Baptiz’d: the Reasons of which wicked and rash Condemnation were two; first the false Accusation of aPeruvianInterpreter call’dPhilippillo, who desir’d his Death, that then he might with the more freedom enjoy one of his Wives; forAttabalibamistrusting the same, had complain’d thereof toPizarro, saying,That his Imprisonment was not so grievous to him, as the thoughts of the Adultery, acted against the strict Laws of his Countrey; the Defiler of anInga’s Bed being not onely to be burnt with the Adulterers, but also the whole Families of them, to the least Infant, their Houses to be rac’d to the Ground, and their Land sow’n with Salt, as for ever curs’d. The secondcause ofAttabaliba’s Death is laid onAlmagro, who came toPeruwith new Forces, and who fearing that none of the Gold whichAttabalibahad the delivery of, would fall to his share, as not having been in the Battel whereAttabalibawas taken, therefore order’d him to be suddenly Strangled, that so the Booty might be equally divided. Not long afterPizarroconqueringCusco, got no less Treasure than atCaxamalca. Here the Reign of thePeruvian Inga’s ceased, with which before no Kings that ever Govern’d in the World were able to compare in Riches and Glory. Their Palaces were round about adorn’d with Golden Images; and they never ate but out of Golden Vessels, spitting in the Hands of beautiful young Women of Noble Extract, were worshipp’d like Gods both whilest living and when dead, all their Subjects being their Slaves, and they the sole Lords of the whole Realm. In the interimBevalcazarmarch’d from the new CitySt. Michael, with a hundred and twenty Foot and eighty Horse, to assist theCannaresagainst one ofAttabaliba’s Generals, who having spoil’d the Ways by digging Pits, and covering them over with Bushes, resisted them in several places: then marching toQuitohe burnt the City, after having kill’d a hundred of the Natives, because they laughed at theSpaniardsArrival. Afterwards joyning withAlmagro, he went back toCusco, whither on the Way he had News ofQuisquis,Attabaliba’s General, and of his BrotherGuaypalcon, who making use of a Rock, threw down great Stones, by thePeruvianscall’dGalgas, which in their Fall hitting others, brought down a great number with them, by which means he not onely defended the Place for the present, but kill’d fourteenSpaniards; nevertheless distrusting his ability to keep it, he retreated to a steep Mountain about Midnight, at the Foot whereof a Passage led over a deep River, where he burnt all his Luggage that he could not carry with him; also above fifteen thousand Sheep and four thousand Prisoners, became wholly at the Discretion ofAlmagro, who leaving there CaptainMartin Astete, order’d him to build the TownTruxillo: In the mean timeQuisquiswas put to flight byPizarro, and went toQuito, where he lost many People, that were kill’d byBevalcazar’s Guard; yet those that were remaining chose rather to Fight to the last, than flye through Wildernesses, and there be starv’d to death; whichQuisquiscontradicting, was Stabb’d by his CaptainGuappalau, and immediately after cut to pieces. As soon as these Stirs were quieted,Pizarrobegan to build the CityLos Reyos, near a convenient Haven of the Southern Ocean, whilestAlmagromarching toChiliwith two Troops of Horse, and five hundred Foot, return’d without doing any thing remarkable, except his taking the InterpreterPhilippillo, (whom he caus’d to be cut into four pieces) and his maintaining several Battels against theChileses, clad in Sea-Wolves Skins. In this Journey he lost several of his Men on the Snowy Mountains. About this time a Ship fitted out byGabriel Carvajal, Bishop ofPlacentia, Sailing through theStraightsofMagellan, ran into the HavenLos Reyos, out of which the first Rats swam ashore that ever were inPeru, by which the Countrey since suffering much damage, the Inhabitants call’d themOcocha, that is,Sinful Creatures. Now all things on theSpaniardsside were tending to a quiet possession, when a new Accident arose, which had like to have spoil’d all, forMango Inga,Attabaliba’s Brother, being releas’d out of Prison byJuan Pizarro, obtain’d leave to go toYucaya, to fetch the famous Golden ImageMachys, representing his FatherGuaynacava: but he having now gotten his Liberty slew all theSpaniardswhich work’d in the Gold-Mines, took the Castle ofCuscoby Storm, as also the City, after a Siege of eight Moneths; which nevertheless was byFrancisco Pizarrosoon re-taken, andMangoforc’d to flye into the MountainsAndes, after he had kill’d several ofAlmagro’s Men; soon afterAlmagroabout Midnight getting over the Walls, and takingFerdinandoandGonsalvo Pizarro, andAlphonso AlvaradoPrisoners, condemn’d them all three to die, caus’d himself to be proclaim’d Governor, and gave the Royal Tassel toPaulo Inga, whilestGonsalvoandAlvaradobreaking Prison, inform’dFrancisco Pizarrothereof (who then had obtain’d the Title ofMarquess, and for an Inheritance, the ProvinceAttabillos;) he was exceedingly troubled for his BrotherFerdinand, whose Enlargement he thought would be best procur’d by making Peace withAlmagroand the sooner, because thePeruviansbegan to rebel against theSpaniardsin most places, slew divers Companies of them; amongst whomDiego Pizarrowas set upon in a narrow Path call’dLaucesta Parcos, and amongst the Mountains lost seventy Horsemen; andGonsalvo de Tapicosav’d not one of eighty Horse. Also thePeruviansset upon three hundred Troopers, Commanded by the Generals of the Horse,MorgoveioandGaeti, in a narrow Path, and rowl’d down great Stones from the tops of the Mountains both before and behind them, so killing both Horse and Man before they could put themselves into a posture of Defence, insomuch that none escap’d with Life but two Troopers.Francisco de Godoy, sent out ofLos Reyoswith forty five Horse, upon Discoveries, return’d also with great loss, being pursu’d twenty Leagues by thePeruvians; against whomPeter de Lermabeing sent out with sixty Horse, fought a whole day with them, and though few of his Men were kill’d, yet many were wounded, and several taken: The victoriousPeruviansretreating to the top of a sandy Mountain in the Night, Offer’d theSpaniardsthey had taken Prisoners, as a testimony of thanks, toViracocha, and afterwards stood drawn up near the CityLos Reyosby the GeneralTyzopangui. The Marquess thus beset round, sent for Aid fromNew SpainandTruxillo, and also forAlphonso Alvaradoto come back, who had been sent to discover the CountreyChachepoyos, and being gotten into a Desart, would without doubt have perish’d for want of Water, had not some Horsemen riding somewhat out of the Way, found Pits with fresh Water: notwithstanding which, five hundredInacona’s (for so theSpaniardscall’d thePeruvianSlaves) died for Thirst. He was afterwards supply’d byGomez Tordoyawith two hundred Men, by the help of whom, though encompass’d by the Inhabitants near the BridgeLamucacha, where began a fierce Battel,Alvaradowas in the end Conqueror.
Civil War betweenPizarroandAlmagro.
The MarquessFrancisco Pizarromurdered.
His Original and the manner of his Rising.
Whilest theSpaniardsfound so much to do with thePeruvians, yet they could not forbear more and more Clashing amongst themselves, the Marquess commanding thatAlmagroshould surrender and leave the CityCusco; but he refusing to obey, fortifi’d himself on the top of the MountainGaytara, stopt the Ways by cutting down the Trees: butFerdinando Pizarrogetting up to the top along a private Way, made such a confusion amongst them with Bolt-shot, thatAlmagro, who was sick at that time, was forc’d to flye; which being toldPizarro, he pursu’d him, and had doubtless utterly defeated him at that bout, had not his Men, benumm’d with marching in the deep Snow, been taken with a Distemper which made them as if they had been all Sea-sick, (for such is the property of the MountainGuaytara) insomuch that they could scarce carry their Arms: WhereuponAlmagrowas advis’d to oppose his Pursuers, and that he need not doubt of the Victory; but he either following his own Dictates, or being counter-advis’d, fortifi’d himself inCusco, whitherFerdinandandGonsalvo Pizarromarch’d against him.Rodrigo de OrgonnesCommandedAlmagro’s Army, who being sick, lay on the Walls of the City to see the Battel fought. ThePeruvians, who on each side were in theSpanishService, march’d in the Front: on the twenty sixth ofApril, Anno 1538.the Fight began, in which theAlmagriansdid much mischief with Cross-bar shot amongst thePizarrians; yetAlmagro’s Horse retreated first, being under the Command ofPeter Valdivia; soon after which the rest of his Army, their Courage also failing, fled to the City;into which, as soon asOrgonesbeing shot in the Head and slain, the Conqueror rush’d after them, and tookAlmagroPrisoner: yet notwithstanding this prosperous beginning, he soon found himself in a great strait, since those which remain’d alive ofAlmagro’s Party refus’d to servePizarro, and murmur’d against him in all places, resolving to takeAlmagrofrom him by force, besides thatPizarro’s Soldiers grumbled that they were not paid sufficiently for the many hazards which they had run: wherefore to compose these Troubles as well as possibly he could, he banish’d all whom he thought to be of the opposite Party, sent away the chief of his own mutinous Soldiers with CaptainPeter de Candia, to discover new Countreys, putAlmagroto death, and march’d toCallao; where being straitned for want of Provision, he made no stay, but got his Army with much ado toCusco.Gonsalves Pizarrowas likewise so set upon by the Natives, that he lost a considerable number of Men: In short, thePizarranswere defeated in all places, and at length the Marquess, though forewarn’d by his SecretaryAntonio Picado, was murder’d in his own House in the City ofLima, otherwise call’dDe los Reyos, by a Bastard-Son ofAlmagro, nam’dDiego, in the Year 1541; his Body dragg’d to the Church-yard, lay there to every ones view and derision, tillJohn de Barbaraburied the same. His FatherGonsalvo Pizarro, sir-nam’dThe tall Citizen of Truxillo, Commanding a Company of Foot inNavarre, had two lawful Sons,viz.Ferdinand, who was murder’d in theSpanishCastleMotta, andJohnthat was slain inCusco, whenMango Ingaconquer’d the City, the other two,GonsalvoandFrancisco, being both Bastards; the last of which is said to have been expos’d by his Mother in the Church Porch, and kept alive for several days by sucking of a Sow, till his Father afore-mention’d finding him, and acknowledging him for his Son, put him out to Nurse, and when he was grown up set him to keep Swine; which course of Life he soon left, and followingAlphonsus de Ojeda,Balboa, andPedro de Avitain their Expeditions, he quickly grew rich, and at last came to that heighth of Honor and Command we have heard.Francisco Martino de Alcantarawas also his Brother by the Mothers side onely. He was a Man who despis’d all Dangers and Hardships, was so well experienc’d in Martial Affairs, that he might well stand in competition with many of the antient Heroes. InLos Reyoshe built two very artificial Water-Mills, aDominicanCloyster, and another for the MonksDe la Merced, and likewise a stately Palace for himself: He was both meek and affable; and though he bore the greatest Command in the Emperor’s Name over the mighty Kingdom ofPeru, and got more Riches than ever any of theRoman,Persian,Grecian, orAssyrianMonarchs possess’d, yet he went in the same plain kind of Apparel in the heighth of his Grandeur, as when he was but in a low Condition; about his Neck he commonly ty’d a Linnen Hankerchiff, with which he us’d to wipe the Sweat from his Face: in peaceable Intervals he spent whole days in playing at Bowls, without any distinction of Persons, chusing often to play rather with a Sea-man or common Soldier, than a phantastick Gallant: He visited the meanest Citizens, and many times us’d to eat with poor People, to whom he was upon all occasions very noble and liberal; All his Designs he carried on by the strength of meer natural Parts: for he was so very illiterate, that he could neither Write nor Read; his Edicts were Sign’d with his two Marks, betwixt which his Secretary writFrancisco Pizarro; he is said to have had a Son which died young byAttabaliba’s Sister, who came afterwards to be call’dDonna Angelina; he died in a very unfortunate time, for upon his good success theSpanishPower had grounded their whole Designs, thinking with thePeruvianTreasures, as the Sinews of War, to have erected a fifth Monarchy to succeed the fourth of theRomans.
Almagroutterly defeated byVacca de Castro.
Deliver’d up Prisoner bySalazar, and Beheaded.
Pizarro’s Murderer, though aiming at the Supream Power, he had a considerableParty to countenance and aid him, yet he found resistance in many places, not without the loss of many Men on both sides. In which Juncture the LearnedVacca de CastroLanded inPeru, with a Commission from the Emperor to settle the divided Kingdom ofPeruin Peace and Quiet; but the youngAlmagromad to see his Ambition thus cross’d, gave Battel toCastroin the Plain ofChupas; the Dispute was long and resolute on both sides, and the Night coming on made the Fight the more terrible, in which the Victory inclin’d toCastro; however theAlmagriansstood to it stoutly for a great while, and that chiefly through the valor of the CaptainsBalboaandChristopher Losa, who breaking in amongst theCastreans, hack’d and hew’d down all they came near, till at last they were forc’d to betake themselves to flight, and had not many of them exchang’d their white Scarfs with the red of the slainCastreans, scarce any of them had escap’d from being kill’d in the pursuit, and most of them that did escape were slain the next Morning by thePeruvians. Rodrigo Salazar, Almagro’s Deputy, deliver’d up his Lord toCastro, who condemn’d him to death, whereupon he was immediately Beheaded with a Sword. This Battel hapned on the twenty sixth ofSeptember Anno 1542. when it Froze so hard the following Night, that most of those that were left wounded upon the place, were frozen to death. ThusCastrobegan his Government with Blood, and made it his first Business to make a Discovery by several of his Captains, whom he sent for that purpose, of the Countreys lying Eastward fromPeru, lying upon the great RiverDe la Plata, and the RiverMarannon, where in most places they met onely with salvage People, and for the most part Man-eaters; and in one place where they Landed, a great Fish resembling a Dog came ashore and kill’d several Arm’d Soldiers. A year and a halfCastrohad liv’d inCusco, when at the arrival of the Vice-RoyBlascus Nunnez Vela, all things were turn’d topsie-turvy, he being sent thither by the EmperorCharlesthe Fifth, accompanied by four Councellors,Diego Sepada,Lison Tejada,Juan Alvarez, andPeter Ortiz, to curb theSpaniardsVillanies and Outrages committed against thePeruvians, entredTumbez, Anno 1544. where he immediately publish’d the Emperor’s Edicts, which were to this effect:
The Emperor’s Proclamation in behalf of theIndians.
AllPeruviansare to be releas’d from Slavery; noSpaniardshall the least oppress them, nor make use of their Service without rewarding them for the same, nor take any Provisions of them without paying for it.
Ill resented by theSpaniards.
Pizarromarches against the Vice-RoyVela.
Velaclashing with the Commissioners, is seiz’d upon.
Being Shipt forSpain, is brought back byAlvaradez.
Is put to flight and pursu’d byPizarro.
The Vice-Roy slain byCarvayales.
Pizarro’s Luxury, and Tyranny.
Vela NunnezandLa TorrePlotting againstPizarro, are taken and Executed.
This Proclamation was like to put theSpaniardsinto an uproar: for at that time aPeruvianLord was forc’d to allow every Foot-Soldier three Slaves, and a Horseman five, besides Hens, Rabbets, Eggs, the WineAzun, and other Provisions, for nothing. The general Complaints were,Is this the Reward for our Service which we have shewn to the Emperor? Is not this mighty Kingdom ofPeruby our Blood and Labor joyn’d to the Imperial Crown? Our Shoulders are grown sore under our Arms, our Bodies made useless with Wounds, and our Limbs lame’d with Bruises. Who shall maintain our Wives and Children, if thePeruvians,who according to the Law of Arms are become our Slaves, should not be forc’d to fish for Pearls in the Sea, and dig us Silver out of the Mines, and do us other Service for to maintain us?ButVelabeing deaf to these Complaints, resolv’d that the Emperor’s Commands should be fulfill’d, and that those that spake against them should lose their Lives: and that he might terrifie the generality with the punishment of a few, he caus’d FryerPeterof the Order of the VirginMaryto be Executed inTruxillo, Castroto be committed to Prison atLima, because he had putAlmagroto death without Examination, and shut the Gates ofCuscowhen his Agent came before the same. But do what he could, theSpaniardsgenerally making Head, utterly refus’d to obey the Emperor’s Edicts, and choseGonsalvo Pizarrofor their General, who rais’d five hundred Men in compleat Arms inCusco, from whence hemarch’d directly with them toLos Reyos, under pretence to deliver a Petition there to the Vice-Roy’s Council, about deferring to put the new Edicts in force till the Emperor was better inform’d of the present Condition of thePeruvianState; twenty great Field-pieces being also order’d to followPizarro’s Army, were carried by thePeruviansover craggy Mountains; to each Gun without the Carriage were order’d three hundred Men, of whom twelve at a time carried it in their turns a hundred Paces a piece; though several eminent Persons considering the weightiness of the Affair, forsookPizarro’s Party, and went privately to the Vice-Roy, as on the other side, many deserting the Vice-Roy joyn’d withPizarro, who being not a little supply’d byPeter PuellesGovernor ofGuanaca, took several of those that had deserted him Prisoners, and put them all to death, whilest the Vice-Roy made what Preparations possibly he could, Hanging many innocent Persons onely on suspicion of holding Correspondency withPizarro, insomuch that there was no end of Murdering on both sides. ButVelaclashing with his Councellors, because they would not consent that he should ruineLos Reyos, resolv’d to do it without them; and to that end to remove the Emperor’s Seal, Staple of Trade, and Courts Judicature toTruxillo, and to spoil the Countrey all about; which as he was about to put in Execution, they privately got CaptainMartin Robles, andVela’s Lifeguard, consisting of a hundred Men, on their side, whilest the common People mutinying broke into the Palace, tookVelaand carried him to the chief Church inLos Reyos, where the four Councellors were assembled, who order’d that the Prisoner should be Shipt and sent away toSpain, whenAlvares Cuetolying in the Harbor with ten Sail, threatned to fall upon the Inhabitants if they would not release the Vice-Roy: whereupon the Councellors well provided with Guns, rais’d several Batteries against his Ships, so thatCuetofinding himself too weak, set four of his Vessels on fire, and Sail’d with the rest to the HavenGuavara; where being set upon byDiego Garzias, he was forc’d to deliver the remaining part of his Fleet up to the Councellors, who sentVelaaway with the same, under the Command ofDidaco Alvaradez. ButPizarro, who till this time had pretended that he sought nothing else butVela’s Departure, march’d close to the Walls ofLos Reyoswith twelve hundred Men, Hang’d three Citizens upon a Tree, requir’d the Councellors to grant him Letters Patents, by which he might be acknowledg’d for the Supream Governor ofPeru, which if they refus’d, he threatned to put all that were in the City to the Sword; and upon Consultation it was judg’d convenient to grant his Demands, the rather, because they had not above fifty fighting Men in the City. Mean whileDidaco Alvaradezmaking an Agreement with the Vice-Roy, they return’d back with their Ships, and Landed in the Haven Mouth of the RiverTumbez, rais’d what Forces they could possibly thereabouts, but were forc’d to retire from thence toQuito, (at the same time that the CouncellorTejada, being sent byPizarroto the Emperor, came to an Anchor there) where they were courteously Entertain’d; as also inSt. Michael, where they got daily more and more Assistants; of whichPizarrobeing inform’d, went thither with five hundred Men, and forcing the Vice-Roy to flye from thence, pursu’d him above thirty Leagues, Hanging up all those whom he could take of his Party. After many Rencounters and Hardships suffer’d by both Parties,Pizarroexceedingly wearied, return’d toQuito, where he minded nothing but all manner of Debaucheries, not in the least regarding the Vice-Roy’s Designs, which it concern’d him to have narrowly look’d into, for he having got five hundred Men on his side, resolv’d to venture a Battel. It was towards Evening when the two Parties had sight of one another:Pizarrohaving not onely more Men, but also better Exercis’d in Arms than the Vice-Roy,who being sensible thereof, went silently about Midnight from his Station along a narrow by Path, so to fall behind upon the Rere of the Enemy, who mistrusted nothing, by reason the Vice-Roy’s Dogs kept a continual Barking in his old Station, and thePeruvianSentinels were heard calling to one another, and making great Fires all the Night long; but because the Way was over-grown, and farther about than it was suppos’d, the Vice-Roy finding the Night too far spent, went back toQuito, out of which he Sallied as soon as he had sight ofPizarro’s Forces; against whom, being clad in a white Riding Coat, through the Slits of which appear’d a Cloth of Tissue Doublet, he came Riding on a Bay Gelding in the Head of his Party; with which breaking in amongst the Enemies Ranks, he made a considerable slaughter amongst them, tillHernand Torescoming near him, gave him a Blow on the Head with a Battel-Ax, that fell’d him to the Ground, which the LawyerCarvayalesseeing, ran immediately, out of desire to revenge his Brother’s Death, whom the Vice-Roy had murder’d, and chopp’d off his Head. ThusPizarrobeing absolute Master of the Field, began to shew his tyranny upon the Prisoners, some he took away by Poyson, others he Executed with the Sword and Halter, others he banish’d to the remote CountreyChili, and spent his time in all manner of Vice inQuito; where, amongst other leud Actions, making Love to another Man’s Wife, he hir’d oneVincent Paulto murder her Husband, which saidVincentwas afterwards Hang’d atValladolidinSpain. The Adulteress also was afterwards Got with Child by her own Father, and both of them put to death for Incest and murdering of their Child.Pizarrobeing receiv’d as King inLos Reyos, grew every day more proud than other, insomuch that his Friends themselves began to hate and envy him, and wanted onely a convenient opportunity to rid themselves of this high-minded Tyrant. A strange Accident, among others, had done him great hurt, had it not been timely discover’d,viz.Joan de la Torre, a Soldier formerly belonging to the Vice-Roy, found accidentally a Grave in the ValleyHica(which by thePeruvianshad been worshipp’d above two Ages before) and in it so much Offer’d Gold and Silver as amounted to above eighty thousand Crowns in Gold, besides many Emeraulds andTurcoises, all which Treasure he was puzled how to carry away and possess securely, partly fearing the Emperor’s Displeasure, if he should arrive thus rich inSpain, the rather because he had sided withPizarro, and also knowing it was impossible to convey it on Ship-board without one or others knowledge; at last, after many Contrivances, he judg’d it convenient to put the Money in a small Vessel, and Sail with the same toNicaragua, there to raise Men to opposePizarroin those Parts, that so he might re-gain the Emperor’s Favor. This Undertaking seem’d to be threatned by many Dangers, he not having a sufficient Spirit to Command, or at least Experience to officiate the Place of a Captain. In the mean timeVela Nunnez, Brother to the slain Vice-Roy, taken in the Battel atQuito, had so much priviledge allow’d him fromPizarro, that he went a Hunting, and other such Exercises, distant from the Camp, who meeting withLa Torre, took him in his arms, and embrac’d him with great joy, which so wrought uponLa Torre, that he discover’d the Secret of his discover’d Treasure, took an Oath of him that he would be faithful to him, and take Revenge ofPizarrofor all the Injuries receiv’d from him; but before, according to their Agreement, they could set Sail from thence, their Plot being discover’d, bothNunnezandTorrewere Executed, and their Riches fell into the Hands ofPizarro.